In 1910, a proving ground and a garrison of the Imperial German Army was established at the Waldstadt section of the Wünsdorf community – surviving to the present day.

[3][4] From 1939 to 1945, Wünsdorf hosted the underground headquarters of the German Wehrmacht (OKW) and Army's High Command (OKH).

Since then it has returned to civilian use as the Wünsdorf-Waldstadt book town (founded in 1998),[6] although much of it lies abandoned with evidence of Soviet occupation clearly visible.

After the camp was abandoned, the authorities found "98,300 rounds of ammunition, 47,000 pieces of ordnance, 29.3 tonnes of munitions and rubbish, including chemicals ... houses were full of domestic appliances".

[8] While new uses have not been found for the installations and bunkers of the unmodified areas of the military camp,[7] they are somewhat maintained and there are various guided tours, exhibits and events.